TIERNEY IN ACTION
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For more TierneyVision tune in HERE where Congressman Tierney will be uploading recent conversations with the chairmen of some of the committees of jurisdiction managing the health insurance reform legislation. We know our economy and fiscal future are tied to building on what works in our health care system and fixing what's broken. A recent study published in the American Journal of Medicine showed two out of three personal bankruptcies in 2007 were a result of medical debt, even though more than 75% of those bankrupted had private health insurance. Since 1987, the cost of the average family health insurance policy has risen from 7% of median family income to 17%, with small business premiums rising 129% since 2000. Since the recession began, an estimated 4 million additional Americans have lost their health insurance - and are currently losing coverage at an average of 10,680 workers each day. Without health care reform, health care spending will rise to $4.4 trillion, more than one-fifth of the economy, by 2018 and the number of the uninsured will reach 61 million by 2020. If we fail to act now to contain these skyrocketing costs, Americans' insurance will be in jeopardy. Please know, Democrats have held 100 hearings on health care since 2007 and the three committees of jurisdiction – including the Education and Labor Committee on which Congressman Tierney serves – have spent 160 hours on hearings and markups of health care legislation. Much of the legislation has been available for review since July 2009. Democratic Leadership has committed to making the bill's full text and manager’s amendment publically available for 72 hours before Members are asked to vote. The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) blends and updates the three versions of previous bills passed by the House committees of jurisdiction in July. The full text of the bill is posted below, as well as video and audio from the Congressman’s events and committee work.
***Breaking News*** The AARP and the American Medical Association endorsed health care reform legislation drafted by House Democrats. AARP CEO Barry Rand told reporters that the bill meets the goals of "making coverage affordable to our younger members and protecting Medicare for seniors." Additional Information: Top Line Changes Public Health Insurance Option What this means for you: Meeting Women's Health Care Needs A Guide for Senior Citizens and People with Disabilities Outreach:
Tierney Telephone Town Hall Recording (August 2009) Congressman’s Online Chat with the Small Business Community (October 2009) |